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An image of DNA taken with an iridescent filter.
Thu 23 Jan 2025
Thackray Insights: Unnatural Selection
Discussion
Museum
Talk
Event organiser:
Thackray Museum of Medicine

Taking place across our Autumn/Winter season, Thackray Insights invites you to delve deep into eye­ opening topics and explore the unheard stories of medicine.

In the Victorian era, in the shadow of Darwin’s ideas about evolution, a controversial new idea began to grow in the clubs, salons and offices of the powerful. Enjoying huge popular support for over 60 years, the legacy of eugenics persists in our language and literature, from the words ‘moron’ and ‘imbecile’ to the themes of some of our greatest works of culture.

Join us as we explore how popular narratives around science have been used to separate and control us and how this powerful legacy still shapes us today.

This is a Thackray Insights Late – expect a lighter, after dark version of our long­ running series with chance to explore the museum after hours.

About the Contributors
Dr Adam Rutherford is a scientist, writer and broadcaster. He has written and presented award-winning series for the BBC, including Radio 4’s Inside Science and The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry with Dr Hannah Fry. His books include the Sunday Times bestselling How to Argue With a Racist.

Prof. Gregory Radick is an award­ winning historian of science and Professor of History and Philosophy of Science (University of Leeds). He regularly contributes to the Times Literary Supplement and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s /n Our Time

Interested in attending multiple events in the season? Add three or more Insights events into your basket for a 20% discount on your overall purchase at checkout.

We also offer a select number of free Insights tickets for students studying A-Level or above – email groups@thackraymuseum.org to find out more.

    Date
    Thu 23 Jan 2025
    Show all dates/times
    Thu 23 Jan 2025
    7:30 pm

    Ticket price

    £
    10
    Box Office
    0113 244 4343

    Interested in attending multiple events in the season? Add three or more Insights events into your basket for a 20% discount on your overall purchase at checkout.


    We also offer a select number of free Insights tickets for students studying A-Level or above – email groups@thackraymuseum.org to find out more.

     

    Accessibility

    Access to the museum

    We want everyone to enjoy the museum. It is fully wheelchair and buggy accessible, entry is free for essential companions, and we welcome assistance dogs (and our team are more than happy to arrange a bowl of water for hard-working thirsty dogs – please just ask).

    The museum offers quiet openings on the last Sunday of each month from 10am–11am when the lights will be up and the sounds down.  You can download a copy of our gallery map, which includes some sensory information and other details here.

    You can find more accessibility information by visiting our guide hosted on
    Visit Britain’s website.

    You can also download the PDF version of the guide.

    Baby changing facilities
    Buggy friendly
    Wheelchair access

    Thackray Museum of Medicine

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